UP CLOSE & PERSONAL: JEROME REX

5 April 2018

1.When did you first start singing?

I have always been singing – I grew up
listening to my parents singing around the house, and was exposed to choirs in
church as well. My earliest memories of singing are from the age of 6 or 7
years old.

2.Was becoming a musician something you always
wanted to do?

Not really. I have always loved music and
loved listening to all genres and styles. I also loved singing and writing my
own lyrics, but it was mostly for my own fun and enjoyment – even if it was in
church or at school assembly. I actually wanted to become an architect!

It was only a few years after I finished
high school that I started making music on a regular basis, and it took many
more years for me to approach music with the seriousness and focus of any other
career.

3.Where do you get your inspiration from?

My songs are inspired by all kinds of
input. It could be a book that I’ve read, a talk I hear over the radio or
something I overhear while standing in line at the teller at Pick n Pay.
Anything can inspire a song. Mostly I like to take concepts that interest me
and try to translate them into songs.

4.What is the first thing you do before going on
stage?

I jump around! You build up a lot of
nervous energy waiting for your time slot. The anticipation keeps building and
before long, you cannot wait to get on stage.

5.What was the biggest gig you have ever done?

My career highlight was performing at
Oppikoppi in 2016. I had the awesome privilege of sharing the stage with DJ
Ready D and B-Boys Shorty and Vouks. It was a BVK tribute set and I got to
write and perform my own verses for some of their biggest songs. It was unreal.
I still can’t believe I was asked to do it!

6.Have you travelled outside Cape Town or even the
country for your music yet?

Oppikoppi was the furthest from home I’ve
been for music . I’ve also visited Port Elizabeth and George, and appeared at
the KKNK festival in Oudtshoorn. I love the Garden Route though – I’d tour
there all year round.

7.Tell us something we don’t know about the music
industry that only musicians as yourself know.

If you’re serious about your craft, it’s a
lot like a regular day job. You have to be disciplined with your time, plan
properly and sometimes grind hard to meet deadlines.

More and more artists are adopting a
holistic approach to their art as well. People try to eat properly (when
possible) and exercise to stay on top of their game.

The stereotypical picture of the
hard-partying musician is fading fast.

8.What’s the best part of being a singer?

For me the best part has been seeing other
people dancing or singing along to my music. Witnessing others enjoying your
work or drawing inspiration from it is indescribable.

9.What don’t we know about Jerome Rex yet?

I don’t write songs very easily. Most of my
fellow recording artists are able to knock out a verse in 30 minutes while
sitting in the studio, but I don’t have that luxury. Ideas come easily but it’s
often a long, hard slog to process that concept and craft a complete song from
it.

10. What advice would you give someone that is just
starting out in music?

Relationships are everything. The music
industry is small and word gets around, so be reliable, punctual and
professional in all your interactions (even the bad ones)!

You’d be surprised how far your reputation
can travel and it pays off in the long run if you conduct yourself like someone
who is serious about what they do.

Some fun filled questions:

1.If music were an alcohol beverage, which would
you be?

Red wine. Sociable, fun and goes well with steak!

2.Vinyl, cassettes or CD’s?

Cassettes! My first mixtape was released digitally, but I also made a
limited run of cassettes available. People went crazy for them! If you grew up
using cassettes, you’ll understand the nostalgia.

3. If you could do, a collaboration with any other
musician dead or alive, local or international, who would it be?

I’ve been a fan of Thandiswa Mazwai since Bongo Maffin burst onto the
scene. She’s massively talented and her longevity is a testament to her work
ethic.

What’s next for Jerome Rex?

I’m promoting my latest musical release, the Fynskrif EP, which was
released late last year. Expect music videos, parties and lots of gigs!

I’m
also working with an experimental collective that’s busy with some exciting,
left-field ideas. It’s all in the embryo stage right now, but I’m excited for
it to reach a point where we can start talking about it.